The Alameda District Attorney is reopening investigations into multiple fatal police shootings, deaths in custody, including the death of Mario Gonzalez.

ALAMEDA COUNTY, California (KGO) — On Tuesday, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced the reopening of investigations into several cases of police shootings and deaths in custody as part of the creation of a new Public Accountability Unit (PAU).

The PAU will be tasked with holding law enforcement and government officials accountable for misconduct, prosecutors said.

In a statement, the County District Attorney’s Office wrote that the PAU intends to reopen the eight death cases involving law enforcement and has asked local police chiefs and Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez to return evidence in these cases.

The formation of the PAU follows District Attorney Pamela Price’s pledges during her campaign that led to her election in November.

VIDEO: Mario Gonzalez’s family demand that police officers involved in his death be charged with murder

“I promised responsibility. This unit and its work is the beginning of the reckoning that Alameda County has asked to hold people accountable for their wrongdoing,” Price said in a statement.

The following cases will be handled by the PAU:

Cody Chavez featuring Pleasanton Police in 2022, Caleb Smith featuring Hayward Police in 2021, Joshua Gloria featuring Fremont Police in 2021, Agustin Gonzalez featuring Hayward Police in 2019, Mario Gonzalez featuring Alameda Police in 2021, Vinetta Martin featuring county sheriff’s deputies at Santa Rita Jail in 2021 Mac Jody Woodfox featuring Oakland Police in 2008 and Andrew Moppin-Buckskin featuring Oakland Police in 2007.

We spoke with Michael Raines, a criminal defense attorney who represented officers accused of misconduct.

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Raines believes the DA’s decision to reopen previously investigated cases is a waste of taxpayers’ time and money.

“Their investigations were thorough. They were objective. They were comprehensive. They looked at all the evidence: forensics, videos, statements, everything,” he said.

Raines says he is concerned that public safety will be affected by Price’s platform and believes her decision will also cause tensions with local police departments.

“Ms. Price’s tact will lead to open warfare between her office and law enforcement leadership across the county,” Raines said.

MORE: Alameda votes on police reform measures after Mario Gonzalez’s death in custody

But not everyone agrees with this.

Kat Brooks runs a project to combat police terror in Oakland. She says Price is keeping promises made during her campaign to hold the police accountable.

“I don’t know how anyone can assume that there is no problem with police violence and that the police get away with it,” Brooks said.

Brooks credits Price as a key ally in her group’s mission to reimagine policing and public safety, but admits the way forward is far from certain.

“It’s just one step. There are no promises here and we know we can’t just leave it in Pamela Price’s hands,” she said.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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